Charities and students big winners at Greater Keller Women’s Club event

Hard work has its own rewards and perhaps none greater than seeing others benefit from the fruits of your labor. The hardworking members of the Greater Keller Women’s Club collectively experienced the thrill of seeing the results of their past year’s work recently at the annual gathering to hand out money to local charities and to local graduating seniors.

An impressive $75,000 was awarded to 10 local nonprofit organizations and to a dozen Keller students heading off to college by the GKWC Foundation at the annual Distribution of Funds celebration at Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club.

The Foundation was established in 1996 as the giving arm of the women’s club and since then, through the club’s annual fundraising efforts along with generous community donors, they have awarded $1.3 million in grants and scholarships. President of the foundation is Janna Clarke.

“The Distribution of Funds Dinner is one of the happiest events we hold annually,” said GKWC President Caroline Sherman. “The room is filled with smiles as volunteers watch local charities and graduating high school seniors express their gratitude for the funding.”

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Sherman said the club members are especially gratified when they hear directly from the grant recipients how the money enables them to continue valuable services to the community. “The high school seniors [tell us] we are helping them fulfill their dreams to continue their education.”

Scholarships awards totaled $36,000 and winners from Central High School were Janine Bariuan, Samantha Duven, Caleb Crawley and Marissa Cleveland. From Fossil Ridge winners were Siobain Medina, Alexandria Carrillo, Kayla Butner and Samantha Webb. Keller High recipients were Maci Carr and Jenna Erb, and Kofi Agyare was the Timber Creek honoree. Nicole Huette from Keller High School received the Holly Bowden Scholarship.

As the scholarships were presented, foundation Vice President Julie Tandy told the students: “We know how hard you have worked. You represent the best and the brightest of your community, and it is an honor to provide these scholarships.”

Following a long tradition, the event was also the occasion to celebrate member accomplishments. Caroline Sherman was named as the GKWC Shining Star, an honor bestowed for exceptional volunteer service and community leadership. Announced as chairs for the 2018 fashion show (the economic engine of the club’s philanthropy) were Jennifer Armstrong and Pat Fleming.

The evening was in memory of beloved woman’s club member Linda Bowden, who died earlier this year. Bowden’s legacy of leadership and her generous gift to the Foundation of the soon-to-open Bowden Events Center were remarkable.

Grant and scholarship applications will be available on the club website around the middle of January next year. Local nonprofit organizations as well as Keller seniors are invited to submit an application by April 2018.

With a membership around 250, the Greater Keller Women’s Club welcomes any woman in the community to visit a club meeting or event to explore membership. To inquire, send an email to membership@gkwc.org. To learn more about the group, check out www.GKWC.org.

MasterWorks Concert Series will continue free entertainment

Once again, the Arts Council Northeast is joining forces with cities in Northeast Tarrant County to bring free music and other performing arts shows to local residents at the MasterWorks Concert Series. The big idea behind the project is to foster civic engagement through arts and culture.

July has a full lineup of free shows. Enjoy Jon Christopher Davis and the Lone Star Attitude Band in Roanoke on July 13 and Gustafer Yellowgold in Hurst on July 14. Euless will host 4 Ever Young on July 14 and Def Leggend will perform in Southlake on July 15. The StudioBOrchestra wraps up this month’s concerts on July 27 in Hurst.

“Concertgoers will experience a wide selection of music, dance and theater as art and music lovers from age 2 to 102 have the opportunity to enjoy more than 65 free concerts this year,” said Arts Council President Lee Koch. “Music will range from classical to Celtic and from country & western to jazz and blues. The MasterWorks Concert Series creates a wonderful opportunity for the family to get out and enjoy a great night of entertainment.”

Concerts and other dance and theater performances continue through December. Get your calendar ready and check out www.ArtsCouncilNortheast.org for a detailed schedule of shows and locations.

Milton Greene photography exhibit at Arlington Museum of Art

Because so many people find the glamour of the celebrity life fascinating, celebrity photography has become a popular artistic medium. It’s a way to get a glimpse inside the life of someone famous. On display currently at the Arlington Museum of Art are captivating photographs by one of the most well-known and talented celebrity photographers, Milton Greene.

After two decades as a successful fashion photographer with shots appearing in “Harper’s Bazaar” and “Vogue,” Greene’s career took a turn as he began doing portraits of celebrities. His work included photographs of Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Sammy Davis Jr. and Judy Garland among many others.

But it was his photos of Marilyn Monroe that had the greatest impact on his career. The two became friends after a photo shoot for Look magazine. They worked together on scores of photo shoots, and his photo of Monroe wearing a ballet tutu was chosen by Time Life as one of three most popular images of the 20th century.

“Photography has been a huge success at the Arlington Museum of Art,” said museum director Chris Hightower in an interview with the city’s communications team. “Our two most attended exhibits, Ansel Adams and Vivian Maier, were photography exhibits. I chose Milton Greene’s work because he was famous for his work with celebrities in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.”

Anyone interested in learning more about Greene, his mentors and contemporaries is invited to attend an informal session at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the museum at 201 W. Main St. in Arlington. Reserve a spot by contacting the museum or email docent volunteer Kathryn Allen at klang@smu.edu.

The exhibit runs through Aug. 6 and is open to the public Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Learn more at www.ArlingtonMuseum.org or call 817-274-4600.